The first decommissioned mine in the world to be certified as a non-cyanide facility

Quick Facts

Location

Chihuahua, Mexico

Ownership

100%

Mine closed

2014

Status

Post-closure monitoring / maintenance

Located in southwestern Mexico, El Sauzal operated from 2004 to 2015. An open pit mine, ore was milled using cyanide leach. Tailings are dry stack.

In 2008, El Sauzal became the first mine operation in Latin America to obtain certification under the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC), the global benchmark for transporting, storing and using cyanide. It was recertified in July 2011 and December 2014. In December 2015, El Sauzal became the first mine in the world to be decommissioned according to the terms of the ICMC.

Buildings, camps and facilities have been removed and the area, along with surrounding lands and habitat – over 400 hectares in total – have been reforested with native trees and vegetation.

Before El Sauzal was developed, the 2,000 people living around the mine were isolated, with few roads and no electricity. Jobs were scarce, as were safe water sources, medical services and nutritious food.

Goldcorp, in partnership with local and national non-governmental organizations, state authorities and local groups, conducted baseline studies to identify key community needs. Since then, vital infrastructure, health care, education, career training and jobs have been created. Other grassroots entrepreneurial and agricultural enterprises, like hydroponic farming to optimize crop yields in arid climates and conserve water, boost family incomes and the local economy.

We continue to work with the local Ejido as we monitor and maintain the closed site.

Before 2010

With Goldcorp

Inaccesible & isolated

Almost 150 km of road construction

High unemployment

About 500 direct & indirect jobs created during operations and 340 jobs during closure

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